Planning

Planning News:

Affordable Housing requirement upheld at appeal:

The Council have recently been successful at appeal in defending the application of Policy CP4 (Affordable Housing) of the Core Strategy. Additionally, another recent appeal also supported the Council's view that all schemes involving a net gain should be required (subject to viability) to contribute towards affordable housing. 

For more information on the above and to read the recent appeal decisions please click here.

Revised NPPF & Planning Practice Guidance:

Following recent revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) applicants should be mindful when submitting planning applications of the following:

Heritage Statements:

Paragraph 189 of the NPPF requires an applicant to describe the significance of any heritage asset that may be affected by a proposal. Any planning application within a Conservation Area or relating to a Listed Building (or affecting its setting) must be accompanied by a heritage statement with the level of detail proportionate to the assets’ importance. Any statements which do not provide sufficient information could delay the determination process or may result in the refusal of the application. Please see the Validation Checklist (page 14) for more information.

Viability Assessments:

Applicants are reminded when submitting viability assessments as part of the planning process that the PPG states that they should be proportionate, simple, transparent and publicly available to ensure that over time the data available for future assessments is enhanced. All viability assessments should be prepared on the basis that it will be made publicly available. Please see the Validation Checklist (page 8) for more information.

December 2018.

Revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF):

The National Planning Policy Framework which sets out the Government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied was updated on 24 July 2018.

Revised NPPF

Important changes to come into effect:

1). Payments
2). General Data Protection Regulations
3). Pre-Commencement Conditions

For more information on the above please see Planning News for more details.

For all the latest planning news including previous updates concerning changes at District level please view Planning News.